Modder proves it’s possible to double the RAM of your Steam Deck, though we don’t recommend it
You can swap the RAM of the Steam Deck, though it’s probably not worth it.
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What you need to know
When theSteam Deckburst onto the scene, it quickly became one of the most popular handheld gaming consoles on the market. But while the Steam Deck is impressive, it has its limits. For example, the console only ships with 16GB of LPDDR5 memory. Modder Balázs Triszka decided that wasn’t enough, so they swapped out their Steam Deck’s internals to bump the system up to 32GB of RAM.
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While Triszka proved that it’spossibleto increase the RAM of the Steam Deck, it’s not something most peopleshoulddo. The Steam Deck’s RAM is soldered to the console’s PCB. That means you need a heat gun and a steady hand to disconnect the memory that ships in the Steam Deck.
Things could be worse for those looking to mod the Steam Deck. Triszka pointed out that there isn’t glue under the chips. That means if you can get past the soldered connections, you can swap out the console’s RAM.
Modding the Steam Deck to increase its memory also requires firmware modification. Triszka shared a screenshot on X (formerly Twitter) that demonstrates the Steam Deck recognizing the increased RAM.
Today I did another #SteamDeck mod. Upgraded the memory to 32GB! Let’s bring the upgrades to the next level! (Yes, I cleaned the flux off later.) pic.twitter.com/mHFMPLVqUIAugust 3, 2023
The Steam Deck can already handle many of thebest PC games, but doubling its RAM wouldn’t hurt. The popularity of the console has led modders to try several ways to customize it. Our colleagues atTom’s Hardwarehave tested out a variety of SSDs on the Steam Deck. We’ve also made theSteam Deck run Windows 11.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
